Device for stretching cryostatic sections

Abstract

A device for stretching cryostatic sections includes a sectioning knife and a plate. The plate is arranged on a back side of the sectioning knife so that a gap for receiving the cryostatic section is formed between the back of the sectioning knife and the plate. A frame, open in a direction of an edge of the knife, is provided for receiving the plate. The frame has internally located shaped-on webs having support surfaces to support the plate, and a contact rim for setting the frame onto the back of the sectioning knife. A height difference between the contact rim and the support surfaces defines a dimension of the gap.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device for stretching cryostatic sections, comprising: 
       a sectioning knife;  
       a plate arranged on a back side of the knife so that a gap adapted to receive the cryostatic section is formed between the plate and the back of the knife;  
       a frame, open in a direction of an edge of the knife, adapted to receive the plate; and  
       webs internally located and shaped on the frame and having support surfaces to support the plate,  
       wherein the frame includes a contact rim adapted to set the frame onto the back of the knife, and  
       wherein a height difference between the contact rim and the support surfaces defines a dimension of the gap.  
     
     
       2. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame is of one-piece configuration. 
     
     
       3. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the frame is one of a rectangle and a triangle. 
     
     
       4. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plate is made of one of glass and plastic. 
     
     
       5. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plate is detachably secured to the frame by at least two fasteners arranged on the frame. 
     
     
       6. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the webs are provided on at least two limbs of the frame. 
     
     
       7. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame has side walls that abut side walls of the plate on at least two sides of the plate, the side walls of the plate being parallel to the thickness direction of the plate. 
     
     
       8. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sectioning knife does not contact the plate. 
     
     
       9. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the sectioning knife and the plate is independent of the thickness of the plate. 
     
     
       10. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the sectioning knife and the plate is the same for a plurality of plates having different thickness. 
     
     
       11. A device for stretching cryostatic sections, comprising: 
       a frame adapted to receive a plate, the plate being arranged on a back side of a knife so that a gap adapted to receive the cryostatic section is formed between the plate and the back of the knife, the frame being open in a direction of an edge of the knife; and  
       webs internally located and shaped on the frame and having support surfaces to support the plate,  
       wherein the frame includes a contact rim adapted to set the frame onto the back of the knife, and  
       wherein a height difference between the contact rim and the support surfaces defines a dimension of the gap.  
     
     
       12. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the frame has side walls that abut side walls of the plate on at least two sides of the plate, the side walls of the plate being parallel to the thickness direction of the plate. 
     
     
       13. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the knife does not contact the plate. 
     
     
       14. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the distance between the knife and the plate is independent of the thickness of the plate. 
     
     
       15. The device for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the distance between the sectioning knife and the plate is the same for a plurality of plates having different thickness. 
     
     
       16. A method for stretching cryostatic sections, comprising the following steps: 
       obtaining a plate and a frame adapted to receive the plate and receiving the plate in the frame, the frame having webs internally located and shaped on the frame and having support surfaces to support the plate, wherein the frame includes a contact rim adapted to set the frame onto a back side of a knife; and  
       setting the frame in conjunction with the plate on the back side of the knife so that:  
       a gap adapted to receive the cryostatic section is formed between the plate and the back of the knife;  
       the contact rim rests on the back surface of the knife;  
       a height difference between the contact rim and the support surfaces defines a dimension of the gap; and  
       the frame is open in a direction of an edge of the knife.  
     
     
       17. The method for stretching cryostatic sections as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising using a plurality of plates having different thickness, wherein the distance between the knife and the plate is, excluding dimensional tolerancing and manufacturing defects, exactly the same for the plurality of plates having different thickness.